lap steel for blues

Ben Ellenbogen · Post by **Ben Ellenbogen** » 14 Apr 2002 8:38 am

Hi everybody,
I've been lurking for a while and this is my first post. I found this site on Brad's Page Of Steel when I was looking for info on dobros. I've been playing slide for a while and about two months ago bought a dobro - this is my first time playing lap style and I'm hooked! I'm looking for a 6-string lap steel to play Chicago style blues - probably use open E tuning. The lap steels I'm
considering are the Chandler RH-2, the Melobar SXL, and the West Coast Steel Guitars WC-6L. Since I'm not going to be able to compare them side-by-side I'd appreciate some advice. I'm looking for a blues sound - not country or Hawaiian. For an amp I'll use an old Fender Champ which has been in the closet for years. Probably use overdrive and delay pedals.
Thanks.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 14 Apr 2002 9:35 am

All the guitars you mentioned would probably be great , but I`d advice you to check out vintage Supros , the black and white ones especially ( I always forget the model name ). They sell for about 250 to 300 on ebay and they are real screamers !

------------------
Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 14 Apr 2002 9:49 am

Any of those three instruments will be a good choice for what you want to play. I haven't personally played the West Coast WC-6L, but I'd have no hesitation recommending either of the other two guitars.

Since West Coast Steel Guitars is located in Walnut Creek, you might consider calling Bob Littleton and asking if you can try out one of his guitars first.
Good luck!

------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 14 April 2002 at 10:50 AM.]

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 14 Apr 2002 2:26 pm

I have a Chandler RH-2 and I find it to be a versatile steel for many kinds of music from Hawaiian, swnig, rock to blues. While the P-90-style pickup doesn't excel at bringing out overtones, like a Ric Bakelite, or add that glassy shimmer, like a Fender, it does offer a lively, open sound with a lot of presence and bite. The body is extremely resonant which adds a lot to the tonal signature of these axes. The 25" scale length is a somewhat of a problem if you do a lot of slant work but all-in-all, I think the RH-2 is a real bargin in the new guitar market and makes a fine blues steel.

Ziggie · Post by **Ziggie** » 14 Apr 2002 7:43 pm

I would check out an older model also. Just make sure it has some nice 'n' hot pickups on it. I would also suggest E13 tunning over the E tunning. E13 swings a whole lot more. I think you would enjoy it. Either way, good luck with it and have a great day. Ziggie

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 18 Apr 2002 7:04 pm

Ben,

I would also recommend that you try out a vintage (late 1940's to mid 1950's) Supro lap steel. Hot hot HOT pickups with adjustable polepieces, capable of terrific overdrive if you want it, and a wide tonal range with any amp I've ever used. Beats the livin' sludge out of any of the lipstick-tube pickups common on the newer models. And available cheap if you look around a bit. Or if you like the sound of humbucking pickups, you can purchase a new BlueStar lapsteel from Elderly Instruments for $300.00.

Tim R.

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 19 Apr 2002 5:08 am

If you get an old one, I too like the ones made in Chicago at the Valco factory. They made Supros, Nationals, Magnatones, Oahu's etc.-They have great pickups and are what was favored by David Lindley when he was backing Jackson Browne (correct me it I'm wrong on this). Most of them had a short scale, making slants easier. Tuners etc. are not as nice as a new steel.
As to New steels in that range, I have heard very good things about the Melobar lap steel. [This message was edited by Sage on 19 April 2002 at 06:20 AM.]

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 19 Apr 2002 8:10 pm

I'll put a vote in for the old Supros. I have a Fender stringmaster, champion ,a Melobar rattler and a beat up old Supo. For a big fat, rude blues type sound the Supro is the one. Make sure it is one of those old strings through the pickup ones. Its beat to hell and the tuners don't work but it really honks !

If I am concerned with tuning it I go with the Rattler. The Fenders are great also but I don't use them for rock or blues type stuff.

Bob